Supes OK proposal to reduce crime, blight
BOS also make amends to transient tax ordinance, commend Huchingson for long tenure
LAKEPORT >> The Lake County Board of Supervisors held their weekly meeting at the County Courthouse and online via zoom on Tuesday. This week's agenda included another trash abatement effort, amendments to the transient tax ordinance, adoption of the Road Map Task Force. County officials also commended outgoing administrative officer Carol Huchingson on her 29 years of service as she looks forward to her retirement at the end of this month.
Many colleagues gathered via zoom to congratulate Huchingson and to wish her well on her upcoming retirement. Having been a member of Lake County's local government since 1993, Huchingson celebrated a full career of 29 years in the community. Huchingson reminisced over her many years of service.
“It really is all about the people here in Lake County, that's the thing that is most unique about us is that we pitch in as the human beings that drive the engine of the County of Lake,” she said. District 3 Supervisor E.J. Crandell gave a heartfelt speech detailing highlights of Huchingson's accomplishments sharing “On Feb. 2 2016, Huchingson became the first woman in Lake County's then 155 year history to be appointed to the position of County Administrative Officer…Whereas in January of 2018 Huchingson was the architect of a series of community visioning forums culminating in the board's adoption of the communities' priorities as the Vision 2028 strategic plan.” Senator Mike Mcguire (D-Healdsburg) also thanked Huchingson saying “Your service to this county is unmatched. You truly have been the steady hand during some of the darkest days that we've faced.” Officials noted that Huchingson was a devoted servant to the people of Lake and has left big shoes to fill, and her absence will be felt by the entire community.
Huchingson introduced Tax Administrator Patrick Sullivan to the board for the last time. He discussed potential changes to the transient occupancy tax ordinance that would help in identifying unlicensed operating vacation rentals with the use of newly available software programs. This could help the licensed rental operators as overhead costs force a licensed operator to charge more than unlicensed ones can and that doesn't allow a fair market. The board was in support with District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon noting, “Airbnb is the largest hotel (chain) in the world and it's just going to continue growing especially now with construction costs.”
Marcus Beltramo with the Code Enforcement department presented a report on another trash abatement completed at 6329 10th Avenue in Lucerne. The total cost of clean-up was almost $7,000 and since the property was tax defaulted, it will be included in the upcoming tax lien sale on May 27.
Beltramo presented again with Community Development Director Mary Darby regarding the Road Map Task Force. This is a pilot program beginning as a community driven action plan in the town of Clearlake Oaks. This plan will use $1 million dollars of funding from cannabis tax revenue and aims to build a partnership between the county and citizens to work to combat blight and attract new residents by streamlining public complaints and empowering and encouraging residents to beautify their community. According to Darby “The goals of the revitalization program are to identify and maximize available resources to reduce crime and blight, promote public safety and enhance community beautification.” This proposal was approved by the board and the pilot program will move forward.
More information on previous and future meetings of the Board of Supervisors, as well as meeting agendas and videos can be found online at http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/ Boards/Board_of_Supervisors.htm